Steve Dickerson announces Senate District 20 campaign

Steve Dickerson, a Nashville anesthesiologist who tried to unseat state Sen. Douglas Henry in 2010, announced his plans to run against another longtime senator – Joe Haynes – shortly after Senate Republicans unveiled proposed redistricting maps Wednesday.

Dickerson said he’ll seek the GOP nomination this summer for the District 20 seat held by Haynes, a Democrat, since 1985.

“As we enter the new year our state and nation face economic uncertainty, high unemployment, and an increasing sense of distrust of government,” Dickerson said in a news release. “I have made the decision to enter this race for state Senate to confront these challenges head on.

“With my background as a practicing physician, as well as my experience as a small business owner I have a unique perspective to bring to the state Senate and I will use that to best represent the values of the 20th district.”

Dickerson received more than 43 percent of the vote in his race against Henry, who won his 11th term in the Senate.